“I know for me it was totally new and I made some mistakes,” Caldwell said. “I’m looking forward to the run-off.”

Orange County board of elections officials confirmed that Caldwell does have the right to request a run-off because no one received more than 40 percent of the vote.

Larry Faucette was close behind Caldwell with 25.9 percent, followed by Keith Webster with 7.2 percent, Andy Cagle with 4.6 percent and Buddy Parker with 2.1 percent.

“We’re feeling really good about what’s going on,” Blackwood said. “We’ve completed the first step of what we planned.”

Blackwood said that this has been a phenomenal race.

“This is one of those races that could potentially pit friends against friends for the seat of sheriff,” he said. “All six of us were able to be respectful of one another and good with one another and we learned that from Lindy Pendergrass.

“I’m pleased with the way things went,” said Blackwood. “We were honest and we had good advisors. This is just the first step.”

Caldwell said that next time voters won’t have as many options.

“It’ll be a lot easier for people to look at two people instead of six,” he said.

There is no Republican candidate for the November general election, so the winner of the Democratic primary will be virtually asssured of election.